Infusion pump assembly with a backup power supply

ABSTRACT

An infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motor assembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly. A primary power supply is configured to provide primary electrical energy to at least a portion of the processing logic. A backup power supply is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic in the event that the primary power supply fails to provide the primary electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/830,063, filed on Dec. 4, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/350,572, filed on Nov. 14, 2016, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,833,567, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/181,170, filed on Feb. 14, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,605, whichis a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/305,004, filed on Nov.28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,684,972, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/249,540, filed on Oct. 10, 2008, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,066,672, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to infusion pump assemblies and, moreparticularly, to infusion pump assemblies that include redundant powersupplies.

BACKGROUND

An infusion pump assembly may be used to infuse a fluid (e.g., amedication or nutrient) into a user. The fluid may be infusedintravenously (i.e., into a vein), subcutaneously (i.e., into the skin),arterially (i.e., into an artery), and epidurally (i.e., into theepidural space).

Infusion pump assemblies may administer fluids in ways that would beimpractically expensive/unreliable if performed manually by nursingstaff. For example, an infusion pump assembly may repeatedly administersmall quantities of an infusible fluid (e.g., 0.1 mL per hour), whileallowing the user to request one-time larger “bolus” doses.

Unfortunately, the failure of the power supply included within theinfusion pump assembly may result in the infusion pump assembly ceasingto operate. Further, as the infusion pump assembly is no longeroperating, the user may not be warned of the failure of the infusionpump assembly.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In a first implementation, an infusion pump assembly includes areservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motorassembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispenseat least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoirassembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly.A primary power supply is configured to provide primary electricalenergy to at least a portion of the processing logic. A backup powersupply is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at leasta portion of the processing logic in the event that the primary powersupply fails to provide the primary electrical energy to the at least aportion of the processing logic.

One or more of the following features may be included. The primary powersupply may include a first battery. The backup power supply may be asuper capacitor assembly.

The processing logic may include one or more circuit partitioningcomponents configured to divide the processing logic into primaryprocessing logic and backup processing logic. The primary processinglogic may include a primary microprocessor. The backup processing logicmay include a safety microprocessor. The one or more circuitpartitioning components may include one or more of a diode assembly anda current limiting assembly.

The diode assembly may be configured to allow the primary power supplyto charge the backup power supply while prohibiting the backup powersupply from providing backup electrical energy to the primary processinglogic in the event that the primary power supply fails to provide theprimary electrical energy to the primary processing logic. The currentlimiting assembly may be configured to limit the amount of the primaryelectrical energy available to charge the backup power supply.

The primary power supply may be configured to provide electrical energyto one or more subsystems included within the infusion pump assembly.The primary power supply and the backup power supply may be configuredto provide electrical energy to an audio system included within theinfusion pump assembly. The audio system may be configured to provide anescalating alarm sequence in the event of a loss of a beacon signal. Theescalating alarm sequence may include at least a low-intensity alarm anda high-intensity alarm.

In another implementation, an infusion pump assembly includes areservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motorassembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispenseat least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoirassembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly.A first battery is configured to provide primary electrical energy to atleast a portion of the processing logic. A super capacitor assembly isconfigured to provide backup electrical energy to the at least a portionof the processing logic in the event that the first battery fails toprovide the primary electrical energy to the at least a portion of theprocessing logic.

One or more of the following features may be included. The processinglogic may include one or more circuit partitioning components configuredto divide the processing logic into primary processing logic and backupprocessing logic. The primary processing logic may include a primarymicroprocessor. The backup processing logic may include a safetymicroprocessor. The one or more circuit partitioning components mayinclude one or more of a diode assembly and a current limiting assembly.

In another implementation, an infusion pump assembly includes areservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motorassembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispenseat least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoirassembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly.A primary power supply is configured to provide primary electricalenergy to at least a portion of the processing logic. A backup powersupply is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at leasta portion of the processing logic in the event that the primary powersupply fails to provide the primary electrical energy to the at least aportion of the processing logic. The processing logic includes one ormore circuit partitioning components configured to divide the processinglogic into primary processing logic and backup processing logic.

One or more of the following features may be included. The primary powersupply may include a first battery. The backup power supply may be asuper capacitor assembly. The primary processing logic may include aprimary microprocessor. The backup processing logic may include a safetymicroprocessor.

The one or more circuit partitioning components may include one or moreof a diode assembly and a current limiting assembly. The diode assemblymay be configured to allow the primary power supply to charge the backuppower supply while prohibiting the backup power supply from providingbackup electrical energy to the primary processing logic in the eventthat the primary power supply fails to provide the primary electricalenergy to the primary processing logic.

In another implementation, an alarm system includes processing logicconfigured to generate an alarm control signal. An RS232 line drivercircuit is coupled to the processing logic and configured to receive thealarm control signal and generate an alarm output signal based, at leastin part, upon the alarm control signal. An audio driver assembly iscoupled to the RS232 line driver circuit and configured to receive thealarm output signal and generate an audible alarm signal based, at leastin part, upon the alarm output signal.

One or more of the following features may be included. The audio driverassembly may include a Piezo electric diaphragm. The alarm system may beincluded within an infusion pump assembly. The infusion pump assemblymay include a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusiblefluid. A motor assembly may be configured to act upon the reservoirassembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluidcontained within the reservoir assembly. A primary power supply may beconfigured to provide primary electrical energy to at least a portion ofthe processing logic. A backup power supply may be configured to providebackup electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processinglogic in the event that the primary power supply fails to provide theprimary electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processinglogic. The processing logic may be further configured to control themotor assembly.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an infusion pump assembly includingprocessing logic; and

FIG. 2 is a more-detailed diagrammatic view of the processing logic ofFIG. 1.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown infusion pump assembly 10 that maybe configured to deliver infusible fluid 12 to user 14. As discussedabove, infusible fluid 12 may be delivered intravenously (i.e., into avein), subcutaneously (i.e., into the skin), arterially (i.e., into anartery), and epidurally (i.e., into the epidural space). Examples ofinfusible fluid 12 may include but are not limited to insulin,nutrients, saline solution, antibiotics, analgesics, anesthetics,hormones, vasoactive drugs, and chelation drugs

Infusion pump assembly 10 may include processing logic 16 that executesone or more processes that may be required for infusion pump assembly 10to operate properly. Processing logic 16 may include one or moremicroprocessors (to be discussed below in greater detail), one or moreinput/output controllers (not shown), and cache memory devices (notshown). One or more data buses and/or memory buses may be used tointerconnect processing logic 16 with one or more subsystems.

Examples of such subsystems may include but are not limited to memorysystem 20, input system 22, display system 24, vibration system 26,audio system 28, motor assembly 30, force sensor 32, and displacementdetection device 34. Infusion pump assembly 10 may include primary powersupply 36 (e.g. a first battery) for providing electrical power to atleast a portion of processing logic 16 and one or more of the subsystems(e.g., memory system 20, input system 22, display system 24, vibrationsystem 26, audio system 28, motor assembly 30, force sensor 32, anddisplacement detection device 34).

Infusion pump assembly 10 may include reservoir assembly 38 configuredto contain infusible fluid 12. In some embodiments, reservoir assembly38 may be a reservoir assembly similar to that described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2004-0135078-A1, published Jul. 15, 2004,which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In otherembodiments, the reservoir assembly may be any assembly in which fluidmay be acted upon such that at least a portion of the fluid may flow outof the reservoir assembly, for example, the reservoir assembly, invarious embodiments, may include, but is not limited to: a barrel with aplunger, a cassette or container at least partially constructed of aflexible membrane.

Plunger assembly 40 may be configured to displace infusible fluid 12from reservoir assembly 38 through cannula assembly 42 so that infusiblefluid 12 may be delivered to user 14. In this particular embodiment,plunger assembly 40 is shown to be displaceable by partial nut assembly44, which may engage lead screw assembly 46 that may be rotatable bymotor assembly 30 in response to signals received from processing logic16. An example of partial nut assembly 44 may include but is not limitedto a nut assembly that is configured to wrap around lead screw assembly46 by e.g., 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the pump assembly may besimilar to one described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,578, issued Dec. 11,2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Forexample, in some embodiments, the infusion pump assembly 10 may includea housing that contains the components needed to cause the reservoirassembly 38 to deliver medication to a user, including the reservoirassembly 38, the motor assembly 30, processing logic 16, primary powersupply 36 and backup power supply 108.

During operation of infusion pump assembly 10, infusible fluid 12 may bedelivered to user 14 in accordance with e.g. a defined deliveryschedule. For illustrative purposes only, assume that infusion pumpassembly 10 is configured to provide 0.00025 mL of infusible fluid 12 touser 14 every three minutes. Accordingly, every three minutes,processing logic 16 may provide power to motor assembly 30 to allowmotor assembly 30 to rotate lead screw assembly 46 the appropriateamount so that partial nut assembly 44 (and therefore plunger assembly40) may be displaced the appropriate amount in the direction of arrow 48so that 0.00025 mL of infusible fluid 12 are provided to user 14 (viacannula 42). It should be understood that the volume of infusible fluid12 that may be provided to user 14 may vary based upon, at least inpart, the nature of the infusible fluid (e.g., the type of fluid,concentration, etc.), use parameters (e.g., treatment type, dosage,etc.), as well as various other factors that will be understood by onehaving skill in the art. As such, the foregoing illustrative exampleshould not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

Force sensor 32 may be configured to provide processing logic 16 withdata concerning the force required to drive plunger assembly 40 intoreservoir assembly 38. Force sensor 32 may include one or more straingauges and/or pressure sensing gauges and may be positioned betweenmotor assembly 30 and an immovable object (e.g. bracket assembly 50)included within infusion pump assembly 10.

In one embodiment, force sensor 32 includes four strain gauges (notshown), such that: two of the four strain gauges are configured to becompressed when driving plunger 40 into reservoir assembly 38; and twoof the four strain gauges are configured to be stretched when drivingplunger 40 into reservoir assembly 38. The four strain gauges (notshown) may be connected to a Wheatstone Bridge (not shown) that producesan analog force signal (not shown) that is a function of the pressuresensed by force sensor 32. The analog force signal (not shown) producedby force sensor 32 may be provided to an analog-to-digital converter(not shown) that may convert the analog force signal (not shown) into adigital force signal (not shown) that may be provided to processinglogic 16. An amplifier assembly (not shown) may be positioned prior tothe above-described analog-to-digital converter and may be configured toamplify the output of e.g., force sensor 32 to a level sufficient to beprocessed by the above-described analog-to-digital converter.

Motor assembly 30 may be configured as e.g., a brush-type DC electricmotor. Further, motor assembly 30 may include a reduction gear assembly(not shown) that e.g. requires motor assembly 30 to rotate e.g.,three-thousand revolutions for each revolution of lead screw assembly42, thus increasing the torque and resolution of motor assembly 30 by afactor of three-thousand.

Referring also to FIG. 2, there is shown a more-detailed diagrammaticview of processing logic 16. Processing logic 16 may include one or morecircuit partitioning components 100, 102 configured to divide processinglogic 16 into primary processing logic 104 and backup processing logic106. Examples of one or more circuit partitioning components 100, 102may include but are not limited to diode assembly 100 and currentlimiting assembly 102.

Diode assembly 100 may be configured to allow primary power supply 36 tocharge backup power supply 108 included within backup processing logic106, while prohibiting backup power supply 108 from providing backupelectrical energy 110 to primary processing logic 104 in the event thatsome form of failure prevents primary power supply 36 from providingprimary electrical energy 112 to primary processing logic 104. Anexample of backup power supply 108 may include but is not limited to asuper capacitor assembly. An example of such a super capacitor assemblymay include but is not limited to a electric double-layer capacitormanufactured by Elna Co. Ltd. of Yokohama, Japan.

Current limiting assembly 102 may be configured to limit the amount ofprimary electrical energy 112 available to charge backup power supply108. Specifically, as primary power supply 36 may be configured tocharge backup power supply 108, the amount of current available fromprimary power supply 36 may be limited to e.g., avoid depriving primaryprocessing logic 104 of a requisite portion of primary electrical energy112.

Primary processing logic 104 may include primary microprocessor 114 andvoltage booster circuit 116. An example of primary microprocessor 114may include but is not limited to a H8S/2000 manufactured by RenesasTechnology America Inc. of San Jose, Calif. Voltage booster circuit 116may be configured to increase the voltage potential of primaryelectrical energy 112 provided by primary power supply 36 to a levelsufficient to power primary microprocessor 114. An example of voltagebooster circuit 116 may include but is not limited to a LTC3421manufactured by Linear Technology of Milpitas, Calif.

Current limiting assembly 102 may be configured to limit the amount ofcurrent available to charge backup power supply 108 during the power-upof primary microprocessor 114. Specifically and for illustrativepurposes, current limiter assembly 102 may be controlled by primarymicroprocessor 114 and current limiting assembly 102 may be disabled(i.e., provide no charging current to backup power supply 108) untilafter primary microprocessor 114 is fully powered up. Upon primarymicroprocessor 114 being fully powered up, primary microprocessor 114may now enable current limiting assembly 102, thus providing chargingcurrent to backup power supply 108. Alternatively and upon beinginitially energized, current limiting assembly 102 may be configured toprohibit the flow of charging current to backup power supply 108 for atime sufficient to allow for the powering up of primary microprocessor114.

Backup processing logic 106 may include backup power supply 108 andsafety microprocessor 118. An example of safety microprocessor 118 mayinclude but is not limited to a MSP430 manufactured by Texas Instrumentsof Dallas, Tex.

Primary power supply 36 may be configured to provide primary electricalenergy 112 to at least a portion of processing logic 16. Specificallyand during normal operation of infusion pump assembly 10, primary powersupply 36 may be configured to provide primary electrical energy 112 toall of processing logic 16 (including the various components of primaryprocessing logic 104 and backup processing logic 106), as well asvarious subsystems included within infusion pump assembly 10.

Examples of such subsystems may include but are not limited to memorysystem 20, input system 22, display system 24, vibration system 26,audio system 28, motor assembly 30, force sensor 32, and displacementdetection device 34.

Backup power supply 108 may be configured to provide backup electricalenergy 110 to the at least a portion of processing logic 16 in the eventthat primary power supply 36 fails to provide primary electrical energy112 to at least a portion of processing logic 16. Specifically, in theevent that primary power supply 36 fails and, therefore, can no longerprovide primary electrical energy 112 to processing logic 16, backuppower supply 108 may be configured to provide backup electrical energy110 to backup processing logic 106.

For illustrative purposes only, assume that infusion pump assembly 10 isoperating normally and primary power supply 36 is providing primaryelectrical energy 112 to processing logic 16. As discussed above,voltage booster circuit 116 may increase the voltage potential ofprimary electrical energy 112 to a level sufficient to power primarymicroprocessor 114, wherein voltage booster circuit 116 and primarymicroprocessor 114 are both included within primary processing logic104.

Further, diode assembly 100 may allow a portion of primary electricalenergy 112 to enter backup processing logic 106, thus enabling theoperation of safety microprocessor 118 and the charging of backup powersupply 108. As discussed above an example of backup power supply 108 mayinclude but is not limited to a super capacitor. As discussed above,current limiter assembly 102 may limit the quantity of current providedby primary power supply 36 to backup processing logic 106, thuspreventing the diversion of too large a portion of primary electricalenergy 112 from primary processing logic 104 to backup processing logic106.

Accordingly, in addition to powering safety microprocessor 118, primarypower supply 36 may charge backup power supply 108. In a preferredembodiment, backup power supply 108 is a 0.33 farad super capacitor.

Safety microprocessor 118 may monitor the status of primary power supply36 by monitoring the voltage potential present at the input of voltagebooster circuit 116. Alternatively, safety microprocessor 118 maymonitor the status of primary power supply 36 by e.g. monitoring (viaconductor 124) the voltage potential present at the output of voltagebooster circuit 116. Further still, safety microprocessor 118 andprimary microprocessor 114 may be electrically-coupled via e.g.conductor 126 and primary microprocessor 114 may be configured tocontinuously provide a “beacon” signal to safety microprocessor 118.Conductor 126 may include isolation circuit 128 (e.g., one or morediodes assemblies) to electrically isolate safety microprocessor 118 andprimary microprocessor 114. Accordingly, provided safety microprocessor118 continues to receive the “beacon” signal from primary microprocessor114, primary microprocessor 114 is functioning and, therefore, beingproperly powered by primary power supply 36. In the event that safetymicroprocessor 118 fails to receive the “beacon” signal from primarymicroprocessor 114, an alarm sequence may be initiated.

Further still, safety microprocessor 118 may be configured tocontinuously provide a “beacon” signal to primary microprocessor 114.Accordingly, provided primary microprocessor 114 continues to receivethe “beacon” signal from safety microprocessor 118, safetymicroprocessor 118 is functioning and, therefore, being properly poweredby backup power supply 108. In the event that primary microprocessor 114fails to receive the “beacon” signal from safety microprocessor 118, analarm sequence may be initiated.

As used in this disclosure, a “beacon” signal may be considered an eventthat is performed by primary microprocessor 114 (and/or safetymicroprocessor 118) solely for the purpose of making the presence ofprimary microprocessor 114 (and/or safety microprocessor 118) known.Additionally/alternatively, the “beacon” signal may be considered anevent that is performed by primary microprocessor 114 (and/or safetymicroprocessor 118) for the purpose of performing a task, wherein theexecution of this event is monitored by safety microprocessor 118(and/or primary microprocessor 114) to confirm the presence of primarymicroprocessor 114 (and/or safety microprocessor 118).

Assume for illustrative purposes that primary power supply 36 fails. Forexample, assume that primary power supply 36 physically fails (asopposed to simply becoming discharged). Examples of such a failure mayinclude but are not limited to the failing of a cell (not shown) withinprimary power supply 36 and the failing of a conductor (e.g., one ormore of conductors 120, 122) that electrically-couples primary powersupply 36 to processing logic 16. Accordingly, in the event of such afailure, primary power supply 36 may no longer provide primaryelectrical energy 112 to processing logic 16.

However, when such a failure of primary power supply 36 occurs, thevoltage potential present at the output of voltage booster circuit 116and the voltage potential present at the input of voltage boostercircuit 116 may be reduced to zero. Since safety microprocessor 118 maymonitor (as discussed above) one or more of these voltage potentials,safety microprocessor 118 may be knowledgeable that primary power supply36 has failed.

Further, when such a failure of primary power supply 36 occurs, primarymicroprocessor 114 will no longer be powered and, therefore, primarymicroprocessor 114 will no longer produce the above-described “beacon”signals. Since safety microprocessor 118 monitors the above-described“beacon” signals, safety microprocessor 118 may be knowledgeable thatprimary power supply 36 has failed.

As discussed above, in the event of such a failure of primary powersupply 36, as diode assembly 100 is reversed-biased, backup power supply108 may not provide backup electrical energy 110 to primary processinglogic 104. Accordingly, primary processing logic 104 will know longerfunction.

Upon sensing the failure of primary power supply 36, safetymicroprocessor 118 may initiate an alarm sequence that may result inaudio system 28 being energized. Audio system 28 may be controllable byboth safety microprocessor 118 and primary microprocessor 114.Alternatively, a separate audio system may be used for each of safetymicroprocessor 118 and primary microprocessor 114. Audio system 28 mayinclude a Piezo electric diaphragm, an example of which may include butis not limited to a 7BB-15-6 manufactured by Murata of Kyoto, Japan

Audio system 28 may further include an RS232 line driver circuit 52,such as a MAX3319/MAX3221 manufactured by Maxim Integrated Products ofSunnyvale, Calif. One or more of primary microprocessor 114 and safetymicroprocessor 118 may be configured to provide an alarm control signal(e.g., a square wave; not shown) to RS232 line driver circuit 52 togenerate an alarm output signal (not shown) that may be provided to andmay drive the above-described Piezo electric diaphragm.

The alarm sequence initiated by safety microprocessor 118 is intended toinform user 14 of the failure of primary power supply 36 so that user 14may take the appropriate action (e.g. seeking an alternative means tohave their therapy performed and/or having infusion pump assembly 10repaired/replaced). Backup power supply 108 may be sized so that safetymicroprocessor 118 and audio system 28 may continue to function for upto fifteen minutes or more after the failure of primary power supply 36(i.e., depending on design specifications).

The alarm sequence initiated by safety microprocessor 118 and/or primarymicroprocessor 114 may be an “escalating” alarm sequence in someembodiments. For example, at first a discreet “vibrating” alarm may beinitiated (via vibration system 26). In the event that this “vibrating”alarm is not acknowledged within a defined period of time (e.g., oneminute), a low volume audible alarm may be initiated. In the event thatthis low volume alarm is not acknowledged within a defined period oftime (e.g., one minute), a medium volume audible alarm may be initiated.In the event that this medium volume alarm is not acknowledged within adefined period of time (e.g., one minute), a high volume audible alarmmay be initiated. The escalating alarm sequence may provide anotification to user 14, in which the notification may be discrete orless disruptive at the onset. The initially discreet or less disruptivenotification may be advantageous as user 14 may experience minimaldisruption. However, in the event that user 14 does not acknowledge thealarm, the escalating nature of the alarm may provide for additionallayers of safety to user 14. Additionally, in a case of audio system 28error, or vibration system 26 error, the escalating alarm sequence,which may include both vibration and audio alarms, may insure that user14 may be notified regardless of whether both systems 26, 28 arefunctioning.

Audio system 28, in some embodiments, may be configured to perform aself test upon power up. For example, upon infusion pump assembly 10being initially powered up, audio system 28 may provide a “beep-type”signal to each sound generating device included within audio system 28.In the event that user 14 does not hear these “beep-type” signal(s),user 14 may take the appropriate action (e.g. seeking an alternativemeans to have their therapy performed and/or having infusion pumpassembly 10 repaired/replaced). As discussed above, audio system 28 maybe controllable by safety microprocessor 118 and/or primarymicro-processor 114. Accordingly, when performing the above-describedself test upon power up, safety microprocessor 118 and/or primarymicroprocessor 114 may control the above-described self test. Thisfeature may provide for additional safety to user 14, as user 14 may bealerted to a system error earlier than may otherwise be the case. Thus,a method may be provided to notify the user early of system errors.Also, the system may otherwise not be aware of an error in audio system28, thus, this feature provides for identification of a failure by user14 that may otherwise go undetected.

During the failure of primary power supply 36, safety microprocessor 118may continue to monitor the voltage potential present at the output ofvoltage booster circuit 116 and/or the voltage potential present at theinput of voltage booster circuit 116. Additionally, safetymicroprocessor 118 may continue to monitor for the presence of theabove-described “beacon” signals. Accordingly, in the event that thefailure of primary power supply 36 was a temporary event (e.g. primarypower supply 36 is an out-of-date battery and is being replaced with anew battery), safety microprocessor 118 may be knowledgeable whenprimary power supply 36 is once again functioning properly.

Upon primary power supply 36 once again functioning properly, diodeassembly 100 and current limiting assembly 102 may allow a portion ofprimary electrical energy 112 produced by primary power supply 36 torecharge backup power supply 108.

Additionally, safety microprocessor 118 and primary microprocessor 114may each maintain a real-time clock, so that the various doses ofinfusible fluid may be dispensed at the appropriate time of day. Asprimary microprocessor 114 was not functioning during the failure ofprimary power supply 36, the real-time clock maintained within primarymicroprocessor 114 may no longer be accurate. Accordingly, the real-timeclock maintained within safety microprocessor 118 may be used to resetthe real-time clock maintained within primary microprocessor 114.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An infusion pump, comprising: a processing logicconfigured to control a motor to thereby dispense an infusible fluidfrom a reservoir, the processing logic comprising a circuit partitioningcomponent; a first power supply configured to provide a first electricpower to at least a portion of the processing logic; and a second powersupply configured to provide a second electric power to the at least aportion of the processing logic in the event that the first power supplyfails to provide the first electric power to the at least a portion ofthe processing logic; wherein the circuit partitioning component isconfigured to: allow the first power supply to charge the second powersupply, and simultaneously, prohibit the second power supply fromproviding the second electric power to at least a second portion of theprocessing logic different than the at least a portion of the processinglogic.
 2. The infusion pump of claim 1 wherein the first power supplyincludes a first battery.
 3. The infusion pump of claim 1 wherein thesecond power supply is a super capacitor.
 4. The infusion pump of claim1 wherein the circuit partitioning component includes one or morecircuit partitioning components configured to divide the processinglogic into first processing logic and second processing logic.
 5. Theinfusion pump of claim 4 wherein the first processing logic includes afirst microprocessor.
 6. The infusion pump of claim 4 wherein the secondprocessing logic includes a safety microprocessor.
 7. The infusion pumpof claim 4 wherein the one or more circuit partitioning componentsincludes one or more of a diode and a current limiting.
 8. The infusionpump of claim 7 wherein the diode is configured to allow the first powersupply to charge the second power supply while prohibiting the secondpower supply from providing the second electric power to the firstprocessing logic in the event that the first power supply fails toprovide the first electric power to the first processing logic.
 9. Theinfusion pump of claim 7 wherein the current limiting is configured tolimit the amount of the first electric power available to charge thesecond power supply.
 10. The infusion pump of claim 1 wherein the firstpower supply is configured to provide electrical energy to one or moresubsystems included within the infusion pump.
 11. The infusion pump ofclaim 1 wherein the first power supply and the second power supply areconfigured to provide electrical energy to an audio system includedwithin the infusion pump.
 12. The infusion pump of claim 11 wherein theaudio system is configured to provide an escalating alarm sequence inthe event of a loss of a beacon signal, wherein the escalating alarmsequence includes at least a low-intensity alarm and a high-intensityalarm.
 13. The infusion pump of claim 1 wherein the processing logicincludes one or more circuit partitioning components configured to allowthe first power supply to charge the second power supply by diverting aportion of the first electric power from the at least a portion of theprocessing logic to the second power supply.
 14. An infusion pumpcomprising: a processing logic configured to control a motor configureddispense at least a portion of an infusible fluid contained within areservoir; a first battery configured to provide a first electric powerto at least a portion of the processing logic; and a super capacitorconfigured to provide a second electric power to the at least a portionof the processing logic in the event that the first battery fails toprovide the first electric power to the at least a portion of theprocessing logic; wherein the processing logic includes a circuitpartitioning component configured to allow the first battery to chargethe super capacitor while prohibiting the super capacitor from providingthe second electric power to at least a second portion of the processinglogic different than the at least a portion of the processing logic. 15.The infusion pump of claim 14 wherein the circuit partitioning componentincludes one or more circuit partitioning components configured todivide the processing logic into first processing logic and secondprocessing logic.
 16. The infusion pump of claim 15 wherein the firstprocessing logic includes a first microprocessor.
 17. The infusion pumpof claim 15 wherein the second processing logic includes a safetymicroprocessor.
 18. The infusion pump of claim 15 wherein the one ormore circuit partitioning components includes one or more of a diode anda current limiting.
 19. The infusion pump of claim 14 wherein thecircuit partitioning component is configured to allow the first batteryto charge the super capacitor by diverting a portion of the firstelectric power from the at least a portion of the processing logic tothe super capacitor.
 20. An infusion pump comprising: a processing logicconfigured to control a motor configured to dispense at least a portionof an infusible fluid contained within a reservoir; a first power supplyconfigured to provide a first electric power to at least a portion ofthe processing logic; and a second power supply configured to provide asecond electric power to the at least a portion of the processing logicin the event that the first power supply fails to provide the firstelectric power to the at least a portion of the processing logic;wherein the processing logic includes one or more circuit partitioningcomponents configured to divide the processing logic into firstprocessing logic and second processing logic, the one or more circuitpartitioning components configured to allow the first power supply tocharge the second power supply while prohibiting the second power supplyfrom providing the second electric power to at least a second portion ofthe processing logic different than the at least a portion of theprocessing logic.
 21. The infusion pump of claim 20 wherein the firstpower supply includes a first battery.
 22. The infusion pump of claim 20wherein the second power supply is a super capacitor.
 23. The infusionpump of claim 20 wherein the first processing logic includes a firstmicroprocessor.
 24. The infusion pump of claim 20 wherein the one ormore circuit partitioning components further configured to allow thefirst power supply to charge the second power supply by diverting aportion of the first electric power from the at least a portion of theprocessing logic to the second power supply.
 25. The infusion pump ofclaim 20 wherein the second processing logic includes a safetymicroprocessor.
 26. The infusion pump of claim 20 wherein the one ormore circuit partitioning components includes one or more of a diode anda current limiting.
 27. The infusion pump of claim 26 wherein the diodeis configured to allow the first power supply to charge the second powersupply while prohibiting the second power supply from providing thesecond electric power to the first processing logic in the event thatthe first power supply fails to provide the first electric power to thefirst processing logic.
 28. A method comprising: dispensing an infusiblefluid from a reservoir; electrically coupling a first electric powersupply to at least a portion of a processing logic; detecting a failureof the first electric power supply to power the at least a portion ofthe processing logic; electrically coupling a second electric powersupply to the at least a portion of the processing logic after thefailure is detected; allowing the first power supply to charge thesecond power supply, and prohibiting the second power supply fromproviding the second electric power to at least a second portion of theprocessing logic different than the at least a portion of the processinglogic simultaneously with the allowing act.